Monday, June 09, 2014

With Dan Haren providing the Chewbacca defense, hirsute fifth outfielder Scott Van Slyke came through with some key offense, to take the opening game from the Reds at Great American Ballpark. Van Slyke had his fifth HR of the year in the second inning, a Han Solo shot to left-center on a full count; but his three-run shot in the fifth inning blew the game open, Kashyyyk in Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp for the four-run lead. Van Slyke, complete with overgrown beard, was himself quite the Wookiee today, going 3-for-3 with 4 RBI and 2 BB.

Justin Turner went 2-for-5 with an RBI. The final Dodgers RBI came from catcher Tim Federowicz, who had a sacrifice fly from the eight-hole in the top of the fourth.

From the mound, Dodgers starter Haren (6-4) got his first win since May 12. Brandon League walked a tightrope in the eighth with the bases loaded and none out, but escaped thanks to a comebacker 1-2-3 DP; Kenley Jansen then came on in the ninth to pitch a 1-2-3 inning.

Oh yeah, and this happened: the Kings took a 3-0 lead in the Stanley Cup Finals by shutting out the Rangers and turning Madison Square Garden into a funeral parlor. We all know the Kings are going to stretch this series to seven, so I'll save my ebullience for later.

My Quick were the Kings good tonight. Rangers have now thrown everything they have at them, played better at times than we have, had chances, and still come up 3-0 in the series including one at home. The same TEAM chemistry the Kings have, the Dodgers don't appear to have right now.